Communicate

Sunday Gospel Reflections Luke 28-36

In the readings today , both from Philippians and from Luke, we see again the recurring Lenten admonishment to not put worldly desires ahead of God in our lives. This is a theme that was likewise called to mind by Pope Benedict XVI on February 17th. "Before leading the Angelus prayer, Pope Benedict commented on the beginning of Lent and the day's Gospel reading about the temptation of Jesus.
He said Lent is a time for Catholics to renew their spiritual lives and turn to God, "renouncing pride and selfishness to live in love."
Making God the center of one's life, he said, requires "spiritual battle" because the devil doesn't want people to be holy and "tries to detour us from the path toward God."
The Gospel account of the temptation of Jesus in the desert, he said, shows just how "subtle" the devil can be: he does not try to trick Jesus directly into evil, but tempts him with "a false good."
When power or material goods, even basic necessities, become the most important priorities, "God becomes secondary," the pope said. "In the final analysis, faith is at stake with temptations because God is at stake. In the decisive moments of our lives, we face a juncture: do we want to follow the ego or God, individual interests or the one who is truly good?"" - Catholic News Service
In the reading from Philippians today we find a similar admonishment but then also the promise of our reward for repentance and conversion, transfiguration in a new glorified body in Heaven. Then in Luke we are given a foretaste of this promise as we see Christ transfigured before the disciples.
In today's Michael on the Go, Catholic Family Man edition, I reflect on the readings and this call to us that is not only one this Lent but also year round. Posted to http://catholicfamilyman.com

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